Nursery and Foundation Programmes

We offer hands-on activities in the outdoors for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Working in small groups children are encouraged to use their senses to discover the natural world around them. Our programmes involve activities and experiences to support the areas of learning and development, in particular ‘Understanding the world’.

Half-day Programme for Children aged 2-4

Sessions: 10am - 12 noon or 1pm - 3pm

Creatures of the Forest

A seasonal story with puppets is followed by a trail of discovery around the reserve. Children will experience the woodland and other habitats by playing a range of sensory games, following trails, meeting minibeasts and collecting natural treasures according to the season of their visit.

Full-day Programme for Foundation Stage Children ages 4-5

Wild and Wonderful

This is a programme of discovery about animals and plants, and where they like to live. Heading off with a wildlife treasure map and a sense of adventure, children will investigate a range of different habitats. They encounter woodland plants from daffodils to holly berries and hunt out the minibeasts living in the leaf litter. They will find out about creatures caught from the pond, and explore our wildlife garden to discover what they can do to help nature at home.

Curriculum links: Our programmes support the areas of learning and development and early learning goals described in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

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Come along to @DavidAPlummer's open garden event supporting @ParkinsonsUK, in Small Dole on Sunday June 2nd. His garden is an incredibly rich haven for wildlife, just a stone's throw from Woods Mill Nature Reserve. Sit, relax, soak up the atmosphere (and the tea and cake!) 🌳🌼🌱 pic.twitter.com/scSM1dPRAa